Tanzania today joined countries across the globe in observing Global Handwashing Day, a campaign aimed at promoting hygiene and raising public awareness about the life-saving importance of washing hands with running water and soap.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that proper handwashing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs responsible for diseases such as diarrhea, Ebola, Marburg, COVID-19, eye and skin infections, and other communicable illnesses.
This year’s theme, “Clean Hands for All,” encourages every Tanzanian to practice hand hygiene at key moments: before preparing or eating food, after using the toilet, and after caring for children.
Through ongoing programs, including the “Mtu ni Afya” (Health is Wealth) campaign, the government continues to promote handwashing in homes, workplaces, schools, and public spaces.
Special attention is given to 24 high-risk districts where disease outbreaks are more likely, with the interventions successfully preventing confirmed outbreaks since their introduction.
Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system highlights the impact of these efforts. Over the past five years, the number of patients seeking treatment for diarrhea dropped by 76%, from 960,956 in 2020 to 223,714 in 2025.
The Ministry’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program has also improved access to clean water and handwashing facilities nationwide.
Today, 2,957 health facilities and 2,125 schools across 25 regions of mainland Tanzania have functional water points and handwashing stations, helping communities practice safe hygiene daily.
The Ministry reminded all Tanzanians that “Prevention is Better than Cure”, urging everyone to wash their hands consistently at critical times to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from preventable diseases.